Cultural Differences in Correlations With Marital Satisfaction: The Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation Model in 65 Countries

Abstract

According to the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) Model by Karney and Bradbury, enduring vulnerabilities, stressful events, and adaptive processes are important predictors of marital satisfaction. This paper examines whether the three domains of factors identified in the VSA model are associated with marital satisfaction globally, using a sample of more than 15,000 married participants from 65 countries. First, it was determined which variables correlated with marital satisfaction and which of them remained significant in multivariate analyses. All three domains contributed significantly to the explanation of variance of marital satisfaction. Second, cross-cultural differences in the correlations with marital satisfaction were assessed using a composite cultural dimension labeled “Emancipation Index” as a moderator; the composite index comprised the Human Development Index, individualism, gender inequality, and power distance. Attachment styles and active problem-solving behaviors were more strongly correlated with marital satisfaction in countries with a higher Emancipation Index, whereas education level, openness, conscientiousness, stress, and loyalty were more strongly correlated with marital satisfaction in countries with a lower Emancipation Index.